“You see, I really have wanted to make it so that people get the idea that these folk, who are eating their potatoes by the light of their little lamp, have tilled the earth themselves with these hands they are putting in the dish, and so it speaks of manual labor and — that they have thus honestly earned their food. I wanted it to give the idea of a wholly different way of life from ours — civilized people. So I certainly don’t want everyone just to admire it or approve of it without knowing why.” Vincent Van Gogh, Letter to his brother Theo

Dear Van Gogh, the peasants are still eating the potatoes like u visualized it in 1885 except now the potatoes are branded and nicely packed, the coffee are no longer brewed because there is “instant” water that they produce massively in bottles and tin cans(p/s: “they” said you look cool if u consume it compare to home fresh brewed coffee) oh the lights are much brighter compare to those days, except that you have to earn more to have light… unfortunately, with all this changes and development, sorry to inform you that the “peasants” are still…peasants, whether in your country or mine.

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Published by Ili farhana

Graduated in 2003 in Fine Arts, actively involve in organizing independent art programs and art festival since graduate. As an active independent researcher and writer, Ili also has an experience working in the issues of human rights and women rights. Co-founder of Pusat Sekitar Seni (PSS) In Malaysia, a community based space that promotes creative art activism and collectivism in community, in Padang Jawa, Klang. She is also Co-Founder of Sekolah Kebun Akhir Minggu (SEKAM) is an independent citizen initiative to give basic education on gardening and life skills by using permaculture principle and ethics and creative gardening methods. A mother of 3 passion in growing food, permaculture and argoecology especially at the aspect of how community gardening can improve a community’s livelihood toward sustainable living.
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